Lane County Suspect Fires Gun and Rams Patrol Car Before Arrest in High-Speed Chase

LANE COUNTY, Ore. — In a dramatic incident involving a gunshot being fired and law enforcement vehicles damaged by an Indiana suspect with an outstanding warrant of arrest, took place in Lane County late on Thursday night.

Deputies from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office encountered Tyler Ashton Leavitt (41), of Indiana, at 11:30 p.m. on Herman Cape Road. Leavitt allegedly struck a patrol car when he accelerated his pickup and drove it towards a deputy.

According to the LCSO, a second deputy fired at Leavitt, who was not struck. In the meantime, the first deputy managed to move his vehicle to safety.

Suspect Rammed and Severely Damaged a Patrol Car

However, Leavitt then led deputies on a chase, ramming and severely damaging a patrol car. He was then stopped in a PIT maneuver and arrested without further incident.

A PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver is used to stop a fleeing vehicle by nudging its rear panel, causing it to spin and come to a controlled stop.

Leavitt faces multiple charges, including attempting to elude by vehicle and assault on a public safety officer.

LCSO was assisted by the Oregon State Police and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in the arrest.